CLARENCE WILLIAMS – 1937-1941 | The Classics Chronological Series – 953 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The 14th and final Clarence Williams Classics CD completes the complete reissuance of all of his recordings. By 1937, Williams' career was winding down and his music was far overshadowed by the big swing orchestras. Although the first 15 selections on this CD are listed as being by "Clarence Williams' Swing Band," all but three numbers are spirituals that showcase the forgettable singing of William Cooley. The impressive group (which includes cornetist Ed Allen, clarinetist Buster Bailey, altoist Russell Procope and Cecil Scott on tenor and clarinet) has little to do, except on the instrumentals, and the overall results are a bit disappointing. Also on the CD are three selections from 1938 by an organ-piano-drums trio (two of the songs have vocals by Babe Matthews) that do not actually include Williams. Concluding the lesser release are a pair of performances from 1941 in which Eva Taylor and Clarence Williams are heard on vocals while joined by pianist James P. Johnson (Williams plays second piano), two guitars and bassist Wellman Braud. These final numbers (pity there were not more) hint at the earlier classic recordings and served as Clarence Williams' last hurrah. Completists will want this set. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Feel De Spirit 3:29
Traditional
2    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Old Time Religion 2:48
Traditional
3    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Lord Deliver Daniel 2:07
Traditional
4    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Sweet Kisses 2:09
Written-By – Williams
5    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Go Down Moses 2:20
Traditional
6    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Do You Call Dat Religion ? 2:14
Traditional
7    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Jericho 2:53
Traditional
8    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Lazy Swing 2:54
Traditional
9    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Roll, Jordan, Roll 2:20
Traditional
10    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Heaven, Heaven 2:12
Traditional
11    Clarence Williams' Washboard Five–    There Is Love 2:30
Written-By – Clarence Williams
12    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    It's Me, O Lord 2:40
Traditional
13    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Get On Board, Li'l Chillun 2:20
Traditional
14    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Step On It 2:31
Traditional
15    Clarence Williams' Swing Band–    Swing Low, Sweet Chariot 3:06
Traditional
16    Clarence Williams' Trio–    Bluer Than Blue 2:26
Written-By – Lil Hardin-Armstrong
17    Clarence Williams' Trio–    I'm Falling For You 2:41
Written-By – Joe Hubert
18    Clarence Williams' Trio–    Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away) 1:58
Written-By – Gershwin, Gershwin
19    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Uncle Sammy, Here I Am 3:09
Written-By – Williams, Miller, Johnson
20    Clarence Williams' Blue Five–    Thriller Blues 2:35
Written-By – Williams, Harper, Barlow
Credits :    
Bass – Cyrus St. Clair (tracks: 9 to 15), Unknown Artist (tracks: 1 to 8), Wellman Braud (tracks: 19, 20)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Buster Bailey (tracks: 1 to 10, 12 to 15), Russell Procope (tracks: 1 to 10, 12 to 15)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Cecil Scott (tracks: 1 to 15)
Cornet – Ed Allen (tracks: 1 to 15)
Drums – Cozy Cole (tracks: 16 to 18)
Drums [?] – Floyd Casey (tracks: 1 to 15)
Guitar – Grace Harper (tracks: 19, 20), Nathan Barlow (tracks: 19, 20)
Organ – Don Baker (tracks: 16 to 18)
Piano – Clarence Williams (tracks: 1 to 15, 19, 20), Connie Berry (tracks: 16 to 18), James P. Johnson (tracks: 19, 20)
Vocals – Babe Matthews (tracks: 16, 17), William Cooley (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9 to 13, 15), Clarence Williams (tracks: 12, 19), Eva Taylor (tracks: 19, 20)